In Talks With White Sands, Holloman AFB
The X Prize Foundation
announced Friday that following the success of the 2006 Wirefly X
Prize Cup, event officials and the City of Las Cruces, NM have
begun the task of organizing and expanding the 2007
festivities.
"We want to fly vehicles bigger, faster and farther at the 2007
event," said Marc Schulman, Vice President of Marketing for the
Wirefly X Prize Cup. "With that in mind we have begun conversations
with organizations in Southern New Mexico who can assist us in
expanding the event."
The X Prize Cup has already had exploratory conversations with
White Sands Missile Range, Holloman AFB and its regional host
community of Las Cruces.
The State of New Mexico will also continue its support of the
Wirefly X Prize Cup in 2007. Positive feedback from the
Governor’s office and direction from the
administration’s Secretary of Economic Development, Rick
Homans is a key partner in expanding this year’s events.
"In addition to Las Cruces continuing to be the regional host
city for the Wirefly X Prize Cup, we hope to have other events held
at White Sands Missile Range, White Sands National Monument Park
and Holloman Air Force Base," said Rick Homans, New Mexico’s
Secretary of Economic Development. "The Wirefly X Prize Cup is one
of many exciting aerospace developments that have chosen Las Cruces
and Southern New Mexico as their home due to our commitment to
Spaceport America and forging a progressive aerospace industry for
our children and grandchildren."
As the regional host city for all Wirefly X Prize Cup
activities, Las Cruces remains a crucial partner in expansion
discussions. City leadership and community supporters have been
contributing to the 2007 planning efforts.
"The city’s administration is very much committed to
continuing dialogue with the Wirefly X Prize Cup, to assist overall
plans for expansion of this annual event, with Las Cruces
maintaining it’s standing as the regional host community for
this ever-growing economic engine," explains Las Cruces City
Manager Terrence Moore.
The Wirefly X Prize Cup has also consulted with other various
community resources to assure that any expansion ideas continue to
support the construction and completion of Spaceport America.
"The Wirefly X Prize Cup is a regional event integrally
connected to the development of Spaceport America," said Steve
Vierck, President and CEO, Mesilla Valley Economic Development
Alliance (MVEDA). "Expanding the number of Wirefly X Prize Cup --
related events and involved communities should help broaden the
appeal and recognition of southern New Mexico as the leading center
for commercial spaceflight."
The X Prize Foundation is an educational nonprofit Prize
institute whose mission is to bring about radical breakthroughs in
space and technology for the benefit of humanity. On October 4th,
2004, the X Prize Foundation captured world headlines when Mojave
Aerospace Ventures, led by Burt Rutan and Paul Allen, built and
flew the world’s first private craft to space twice in two
weeks to win the $10 million Ansari X Prize.
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